RESEND Comvita first-half earnings fall 7.4 percent amid short supply of Manuka honey

RESEND Comvita first-half earnings fall 7.4 percent  amid short supply of Manuka honey
(Tweaks third paragraph to show reference was to operational costs) Nov. 21 (BusinessDesk) - Comvita, which sells products based on the health and medical benefits of honey, posted a 7.4 percent decline in first-half profit , saying a shortage of Manuka honey after an inclement 2012 summer constrained sales growth and margins. Profit fell to $2.39 million, or 7.95 cents a share, in the six months ended Sept. 30, from $2.58 million, or 8.92 cents a year earlier, the Te Puke-based company said in a statement. Sales climbed to $45.4 million from...